Asked about this pledge, Nuttall told HuffPost UK: "That was 2010, under a previous leader."

Ditching the pledge is unlikely to please many Ukip voters, who are largely in favour of a ban.

It comes as debate rages over the wearing of the full face veil.

Home Secretary Theresa May insisted it is for women to ''make a choice'' about what clothes they wear, including veils, but said there will be some circumstances when it will be necessary to ask for them to be removed.